Get ready for a thrilling Champions League showdown as Chelsea embarks on a rare journey to Azerbaijan to face Qarabağ—a match that promises excitement, controversy, and a few surprises. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can Qarabağ pull off the unthinkable against a dominant Chelsea side, or will history repeat itself with another Blues blowout?
Chelsea’s recent form has been nothing short of impressive, with six wins in their last seven matches across all competitions. Their only stumble? A surprising home defeat to Sunderland. However, victories over European heavyweights like Benfica and Ajax have propelled them up the Champions League table, erasing memories of their opening-day loss to Bayern Munich. And this is the part most people miss: Despite their success, Chelsea’s trip to Azerbaijan is far from routine—a unique challenge in a less-traveled European destination.
Speaking of history, Chelsea’s last encounter with Qarabağ in the 2017–18 Champions League group stage ended in a staggering 10–0 aggregate victory. But don’t let that fool you—Qarabağ has been turning heads this season. They stunned Benfica with a remarkable win in their opener and followed it up with a home victory over Copenhagen. Even their recent defeat to Athletic Club couldn’t dampen their exceptional European campaign under manager Gurban Gurbanov.
Here’s the bold question: Can Qarabağ’s underdog spirit and Leandro Andrade’s goal-scoring prowess challenge Chelsea’s star-studded lineup? The Cape Verde international has already found the net against Benfica and Athletic Club, and goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski will need to be at his best to keep the Blues at bay in Baku.
For Chelsea, manager Enzo Maresca is expected to rotate his squad, but injuries and suspensions complicate matters. Key players like Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Mykhailo Mudryk are sidelined, while Pedro Neto’s absence adds to the Blues’ woes. Lima Delap, however, returns from suspension and could start, giving João Pedro a much-needed rest after his weekend heroics.
But here’s the twist: Despite potential lineup changes, Chelsea’s depth should still see them through. Qarabağ, while impressive, hasn’t faced a team of Chelsea’s caliber this season. Will they rise to the occasion, or will the Blues cruise to another comfortable victory?
Controversial take: Qarabağ’s European success this season is undeniable, but Chelsea’s quality and experience make them the clear favorites. Still, football is unpredictable—could we see a shocking upset in Baku? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Predicted Lineups:
- Qarabağ (4-2-3-1): Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazade, Medina, Jafarquliyev; Bicalho, Malinowski; Durán, Andrade, Zoubir; Akhundzade.
- Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Jörgensen; Gusto, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Hato; Santos, Lavia; Estêvão, Fernández, Gittens; Delap.
Prediction: Qarabağ 1–3 Chelsea
Don’t miss this clash of titans and underdogs! Where do you stand? Will Chelsea dominate, or can Qarabağ defy the odds? Share your predictions below!
